...You do know that there are Harry Potter fanficcers who write squidslash, yes?

Actually, yes I do. It baffles me, because I don't even remember where squids figure into the books, but I do know of their existence.

There is a Guardian Of The Lake Outside Moria Giant Squid in the lake next to Hogwarts.

Fay, first let me say Happy Birthday in England!!!

And on the travel arrangements, let me say: BOLLOCKS. What a fucking pain in the ass.

Happy Birthday, FAY!!!

I am so sorry your employer is being so ignorant. I don't care if this is standard Egyptian behavior, or not. You explained yourself quite clearly, and cultural understanding is a two-way street.

I would tell them to cancel their ticket, and expect to reimburse you for the ticket you've purchased, instead. And, I mean "tell". I would not ask. I would "tell" nicely, and all, but it would be telling, just the same.

Ooh, happy birthday, Fay!!

Happy Birthday Fay!

In bitter news, I do not feel any better today. Grump grump grump. I should feel better by now!!!

The correct answer, btw, is "hardly anyone Australian, darling."

This is very true.

"My turn next! I'm going to need a diapering after this, ma'am."

Ew? Though first I read this as a friend of YOUR dad's, and was really grossed out. Then realized you meant of the dad of the baby. I hope.

"But, um, maybe we could, um, y'know, do it some other time? Soon?"

Go Jen, go Jen! Let him know your birthday is coming up! Tell him to buy you a birthday drink, get him one, take advantage...

I instead have about three feet of a shared countertop with drawers every couple of feet to try to hide the fact that I'm sharing the room with twenty or so other teachers

OK, that sucks a lot.

As a matter of fact, every medical professional in my birth was a woman.

It's interesting, I've read a couple things lately from guys who either are or want to be Ob/Gyns who are upset by the fact that it's becoming a women-only kinda profession. OTOH...not like *I* go to a male gyno...

When this guy asked about his hobbies, Christopher said he was hoping to start training for the lumberjack olympics

I knew a girl once who did that stuff...she went to college in Maine. And was a lesbian. Um.

And her apartment is all maggot- and horsefly-infested

OMG, that's awful! And so sad that no one would find the guy for six weeks.

Would it be unhealthy to bathe in a bleach mixture? How about Lysol?

Dunno about sensitive bits, but I used to wash my hands in bleach all the time when working in chem lab. Kinda destroys your fingernails though.

I bought my hubby and I tickets to New Zealand in November for my cousin's wedding. I'm so excited!!

So cool! I hope you're going to stay extra time and have fun! It was SO pretty there, and I was there in winter!

Sitting in my very own classroom, eating a burger, getting ready for the first day of school

Go Erin! Yay you!!

and left a tray with champagne on ice and a bottle of Johnnie Walker.

Now that's something I suspect you don't see much in teh states...

now I'm in a line that goes on forever to get my picture and thumbprint taken.

OK, but if you can post to b.org while you're at the DMV? You're a step ahead of everyone else, baby.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FAY!!!

Happy Birthday, FAY!!!

What's the story on your tag?

Yup, it's from Lost. Crazy French lady answering a dumb question. Kind of like Crazy Spike telling the Scoobs he's crazy, not deaf. Also, it reminds me of Diego Garcia. I knew so many guys who hated being stationed there. I had a blast, so my reaction was always similar to the tag.

OMG, Fay, that is truly incredible. I am utterly amazed. So amazed that I just had to say that before I could say:

Many happy returns of the day!

I hate it when people use the word "deserve," but you so deserve to see Serenity in Edinburgh. I'm so happy for you about that and jealous at the same time. Don't let them ruin this for you!

IOearlierN:

Fantastic news, GC! I can't remember what book I used to study for the GRE. I think I sprung for two different ones. Like others here, I mostly used them to study for the math portion, and found them plenty good enough. I took the GRE in 1998 - the first one they offered by computer in Anchorage. I found the computer test MUCH easier than the paper. I especially liked not having to wait for others for the next section, because I'm not great with the waiting; it makes me more nervous. Anyway, I'm sure that you'll do great, and I'm so excited for you!

I bought my hubby and I tickets to New Zealand in November for my cousin's wedding. I'm so excited!!

That's fantastic, Sparky! It sounds like the type of decision I would agonize over too. I don't know if I'd make the same decision, because I can be a wuss about these things, but it sure sounds like you made the right decision. You may have said this earlier, but how long will you be gone? Where are you going in New Zealand? Not like I have a NZ map memorized, but it will be fun to look up.

And cereal:

vw, I hope your ankle feels better soon, and that Emily takes good care of you. Also, do you have any update on Toto? I saw that he didn't have Cushings (yeah!), but not how things were going since then.

Well, yeah. Maggots, flies, Dead Guy . . . I'd be in a corner (not a corner in that house) rocking back and forth, pouring rubbing alcohol over my head.

This would so be me. Actually, I'd probably wait for the exterminators outside or a neighbors, because ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. When I hear of things like this, I worry about myself, since I live alone. And then I remind myself that I have friends or work who might let me go over the weekend, but that's about it. Friends and work are good to have.